Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I'm excited that something is going in at this location. Ever since this location (Broad & Chestnut) became empty I started doing serious research to see if anyone was interested in renting it. I thought it would move quickly as it's the last of the red hot corners left in Philly. Usually I would put out my findings on Twitter @iphillychitchat and you might recall me saying that the Cheesecake Factory looked into it, but there was not parking, plus they felt that the mezzanine level was seen as wasted space. The other night I asked Pete Ciarrocchi, owner of Chickie’s & Pete’s if he could set up shop there, same answer he wanted parking. Then I heard the Container Store looked at it, but they said there was no parking for customer purchase pick up. They really reached out to a lot of companies to get the space filled.

In December I read on PhiladelphiaSpeaks that Walgreens wanted the spot. My research went into high gear, and I talked to a few people who told me that indeed Walgreens had wanted it for months, but the City kept rejecting them (PCC December entry) because this was the Avenue of the Arts, and that property is a crown jewel, the business that goes in there has to be upscale. I'm here to tell you it's happening, and it's not you're mother's Walgreens, it's a really unique business concept. One that other cities will look to for direction.

It's more like a superstore upscale Walgreens, and not only are the first floor windows not going to be blocked, like they are at most Walgreens (and a major contention with the City), but at no level will the windows be block, leaving the charm of the building intact. That is something new & big in the design of Walgreens. I applaud them.

The First Floor is called Eat Well.This is where you will find customer service, buy your prepared foods, convenience foods, get photo services, bury magazines, candy, greeting cards, Wine and Beer. All those items you need in a jiffy. On the right side is the mezzanine section, and it will be the "Up Market" a cafe, juice and sushi bar. (WOW, just wow)

Click to make larger. If you use them link back to me please.

The Third Level is divided in several sections: Bridge Pharmacy, Well- Over the counter medications; Look Boutique- high end cosmetics, hair products etc; Nail and Hair Salon; Beautiful - mass cosmetics and skin care brands, Personal Care and Daily Living - Daily living essentials, household items and greeting cards.

Update: As I told you back in May, it was a done deal. No matter how many people tried to tell me it wasn't, even at the Great Chef's Event, I told them it was going through, and today in Philly Deals they report it's passed zoning and it's a done deal. I would rather have something occupy that corner, then leave it empty. Plus it's radically different than any other Walgreens or store..

P.S. - Remember when I predicted Bart Blatstein would want to build a casino on North Broad Street. I still predict he will purchase the School Board Building to complete his dream.

P.S.S.- Thanks to all those who helped me put this story together over the last 6 months.

No matter how they dress it up, it's still a Walgreens. This location is a premier spot on The Avenue of the Arts so it would've been nice to have something other than a drugstore in that space. No one who spends time in Philadelphia will go home and rave about a Walgreens on steroids.

Regarding Bart and his proposed casino - first things first - he has to get a license.

Putting a gigantic Walgreens on The Avenue of the Arts,in my opinion, is comparable to putting a clothing store in the middle of a nudist colony -- it just doesn't belong there. Three thumbs down to whoever had the final word on this happening.

Reminds me of the urban grocery/pharmacies you see in London. I like the concept. Good for tourists who need access to basics and urbanites that need to grab something at lunch on on their way home. This is why there's a Duane Reade on ever corner in NYC, after all!

Very disappointed - as much as I'd like to see this space occupied, I'd like to see something other than Walgreens. I realize this is a difficult space to rent, but I think the realtor should've tried a little harder to get something more exciting. Somehow, I can't imagine tourists oohing and aahing over a Walgreens or locals saying how happy they are now that we have a Walgreens on stereoids.

Not too happy about this but if they have better hours than the Rite Aids and other stores close by I'll get over it!:)

And all of the stores that complained about not being able to offer parking is full of crap. I was at a container store in both Chicago and NY in similar locations to this place. Cheesecake factory would make a killing down here too. I heard forever 21 looked into it too but didn't know what to do with the mezzanine section hello dressing rooms/storage, shoe/jewelry section etc.

I loved it here. I've bought about $20 worth of food/products within a week and today my friends and I went here for lunch - they got sandwiches and soda and I got frozen yogurts. It's super clean and they have great selections. Except when we went there today they had a creepy security guard who followed us around the store the entire time we were there - even after watching us buy things. Finally we were so freaked out that we left. A few minutes later I came in just to use the bathroom and left right after because if I had gone to another place I was worried they would make me buy something and I had already bought food from Walgreens that day.The security guard stood by the door, sent another security guard up to follow me, and when my friends and I were ON OUR WAY OUT he insisted that we leave because we "looked suspicious."This is after we as a group spent about $100 in the store. I was disgusted and probably will not be back. I'll probably look for a customer service number to call and complain.